These days it seems as though there’s a movie theater on every street corner. With all of the options out there you may be asking “which one do I choose??” For us the answer is simple- we want an amazing experience! Disney’s El Capitan Theater has a winning combination of history, sound and screen technology, special pre-show entertainment, exclusive experiences, and exhibits that make the movie going experience one that guests are not soon to forget.

The Venue

Stepping into the legendary El Capitan Theater is like stepping back in time. Built in the 1920s, on world famous Hollywood Boulevard, the exterior of the theater boasts a beautiful Spanish Colonial exterior with a luxurious East Indian interior adorned with colorful fabrics, and an ornately carved ceiling. As guests enter the theater they are greeted by the melodious sounds of a gorgeously restored Wurlitzer Pipe Organ. The organ has nearly 3,000 pipes and can reproduce the sound of four symphony orchestras. Hearing some of the most beloved Disney movie songs played on the pipe organ is nothing short of magical.

The auditorium provides guests with a fully immersive movie experience complete with a Dolby Laser Vision which is a state-of-the-art laser projection system that delivers richer colors and brighter images. The theater is also equipped with a Dolby ATMOS sound system which features over 100 speakers that surround the audience in three-dimensional space.

The Seating

All seating is reserved at the El Capitan Theater and is broken down into two sections: VIP and General Admission. VIP tickets are located in the center of the orchestra and upper level balcony sections and feature a souvenir popcorn bucket and a 20 oz. drink. Tickets in the VIP section are $28. Fun fact: the El Capitan Theater is one of only two movie theaters in Los Angeles with a working balcony. General admission seats can be found in the lower level orchestra as well as the sides and upper rows of the balcony. Tickets range in price from $18 for adults to $15 for children and seniors; concessions are not included.

Photo Courtesy of El Capitan Theater

Special Pre-show Entertainment

In addition to the live organ performance prior to each show many of the new releases feature an exclusive pre-show performance that is specially themed to the movie that is being shown. There are often special appearances by characters from the movie.

A fox visits from the Wildlife Learning Center

As an example, the pre-show for Zootopia features a visit from several animals from the Wildlife Learning Center as well as a special dance number by the main characters from the movie- Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde.

Lower Lobby and Exclusive Displays

At the El Capitan Theater the show goes on even after the movie is over. The lower lobby or basement of the theater often contains props, photos, and artist renderings from the movie that is being shown. Additionally, there is often a neat movie themed photo opportunity downstairs that makes for a fun trip souvenir.

Disney Studio Store & Ghiradelli Soda Fountain

Located directly next to the El Capitan theater, the Disney Studio Store & Ghiradelli Soda Fountain features a small shopping area and yummy Ghiradelli chocolate and soda fountain area. The studio store contains products from the movie being shown as well as Hollywood/ El Capitan themed items such as pins, plush, and clothing. The Soda Fountain offers Ghiradelli ice cream, sundaes (often themed to new releases), and coffee drinks.

The Soda Fountain also serves as the location for exclusive breakfast and character meet-and-greet events centered around new releases. For Zootopia guests who attend the 10:00 a.m. movie showing can pay an additional fee ($30) to have breakfast and meet Judy Hopps before the show. Seating for the breakfast events is extremely limited and only offered on certain days. Be sure to check the El Capitan website for additional information.

El Capitan Theater Tips and Tricks

If you’re planning on purchasing tickets for a movie at the El Capitan Theater we’ve got some tips and tricks to share with you based on our experiences over the years.

For the best day, time, and seat selection we highly recommend purchasing your tickets via the El Capitan website. Check the website often for announcement of new releases and ticket on sale dates.

Arrive early!! Traffic and parking on or around Hollywood Boulevard can be quite tricky. We recommend arriving at least one hour prior to showtime. The theater doors generally open 30 minutes before showtime and you want to be in your seats as early as possible to hear the amazing organ being played.

While all of the seats at the El Capitan offer a great view- the VIP section is a special treat and highly recommended. We love the souvenir bucket and have found the process of picking up popcorn and drinks to be very easy.

I was provided with complimentary tickets for the purpose of reviewing the El Capitan Theater experience. All opinions are truthful and my own.

By now, everyone has heard of the great new website, MouseMingle.com. It’s the dating site for singles who LOVE Disney. The site has teamed up with Hollywood icons, the El Capitan Theatre and Madame Tussauds Hollywood to present a one-of-a-kind New Year’s Eve event for Disney fans and Disney-loving singles, “MouseMingle.com’s Movie and Mixer.” You don’t have to be single to attend the event; it is slated to be a really fun night out for all Disney fans in attendance. Moreover, considering the crowds at Disneyland, this is the perfect event to go to party the night away with fellow Disney and Star Wars fans!

Star Wars at the World Famous El Capitan Theatre
Beginning at 8:30pm, attendees will arrive at the legendary El Capitan Theatre, and once inside, the party kicks off with a VIP movie experience that includes reserved seating for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, as well as an all-new Star Wars Laser Lightsaber Curtain Show, souvenir tub of popcorn and soft drink. Attendees will also be able to view exclusive props and costumes from the making of the movie.

After-party New Year’s Countdown
When the movie’s over, the fun doesn’t stop. Attendees head across the street to Madame Tussauds to dance the night away with a silent disco dance party atop the museum’s breathtaking roof-top deck overlooking historic Hollywood Boulevard. Rooftop Silent Disco Dance Party, hosted by HUSHconcerts

In addition, guests will enjoy two free drinks per person* (must be 21 and over and able to show valid photo ID to be served alcohol), appetizer and dessert buffets, themed photo opportunities, private viewing of Madame Tussauds Museum and a countdown at midnight cap off the fun!

Tickets Available Now!
Tickets for this MouseMeet are $100 per person for the general public. Anyone who creates a MouseMingle.com profile (or has one already) can get $25 off the ticket price! Tickets can be purchased by calling 800-DISNEY6.

This won’t be just another New Year’s Eve party, so book a sitter and have a blast with other Disney fans in Hollywood!

Looking for a great way to extend your family’s Disney experience while in California? The El Capitan Theatre and Disney Soda Fountain located in Hollywood is a great way to see more of So Cal and maintain your fix for everything Mickey. Now thorugh August 12, the theater is showing the Disney*Pixar film Brave in 3D with a premovie stage show that only Disney can put on!

What is the El Capitan?

Built in 1926, the El Capitan Theatre is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Designed by architect Stiles O. Clements, the El Capitan boasted a lavish $1.2 million dollar interior when it opened its doors to Hollywood elite as a house for live plays and performances. After a long history and two year restoration that began when Disney took the theater over in 1989, the El Capitan is now home to Disney’s newest theatrical releases, as well as many classics released from time to time. There, theater guests can relive Hollywood of yesteryear in grand luxury. Movies are accompanied by preshow entertainment on the theater’s 4/37 Wurlitzer organ. Many blockbusters are proceeded by live shows featuring favorite Disney characters.

What is the stage show?

Photo courtesy of the El Capitan.

Combine the signing and dancing of old-school Hollywood mixed with the fun and fantasy of Disney’s classic characters, and you’ve got the spectacular live show that goes on before each showing of Brave at the El Capitan. My kids loved the show; in fact, it was their favorite part of their movie experience.

Photo courtesy of the El Capitan.

What is the Disney’s Soda Fountain and Studio Store?

Located next to the theater, the soda fountain features menu with foods ranging from salads to sandwiches to amazing sundaes. Throughout the film’s engagement, Disney’s Soda Fountain will join in the festivities by offering “The BRAVE Sundae”—crumbled shortbread, strawberry cheesecake ice cream, strawberry syrup, creamy marshmallow, whipped cream and a cherry on top. On select days, El Capitan guests may also enjoy “Breakfast with Merida” at the Disney’s Soda Fountain & Studio Store prior to the 10 a.m. screening of “Brave.” Seating is limited and reservations are required.

The studio store offers merchandise similar to that found at Disney Stores.

Is Brave appropriate for children of all ages?

Set in the rugged and mysterious Highlands of Scotland, Disney•Pixar’s “Brave” follows the heroic journey of Merida, a skilled archer and headstrong daughter of King Fergus and Queen Elinor. In order to avoid the custom of being married off to one of the men in the other Scottish families, Merida she turns to an eccentric Witch and is granted an ill-fated wish that ends up turning Merida’s world upside down and requiring her to be brave and right her wrongs.

A lot of parents have asked me if I think Brave is appropriate for children of all ages. I’m always hesitant to answer this question because I think that all families have slightly different bars when it comes to what they do and do not permit their children to watch. So instead of just telling you just my opinions, here’s the facts about our experience mixed with my thoughts.

Brave is an intense tale in which a princess wants to assert her independence from her parents’ plan for her life. SPOILER ALERT: The big plot launching point for the Merida’s “challenge” in the film is that the she essentially poisons her mother to get what she wants. For some children, this may be a difficult message to both see and understand. My seven-year-old was a little upset by this plot point.

There are battles among the different Scottish families, as well as a pretty ferocious bear scene in which I had to cover both of my boys’ eyes. That being said, we don’t expose our children to a lot of movies with really intense plot lines–or fastforward through the “scary” spots when they are watching a DVD. Many children may tolerate these images just fine.

I loved the music of “Brave” and feel that in the end, the message of the movie was great.

Many children will enjoy the comic relief of the triplet brothers and some of the silly characters in the other Scottish families.

The art in the film is stunning and as Merida learns to take responsibility for her own actions, she becomes increasingly appealing as the film progresses.

The El Capitan showing is in 3D. This medium can be totally awesome and really add to a film, but this format doesn’t work for all children and some young children may not keep the glasses on. The El Capitan does offer smaller glasses for children.

Overall, I enjoyed “Brave” and feel it is a film better suited for tweens and teens rather than wee little ones. But then again, that is just my take on it and we can be a bit sheltering when it comes to movies.

When are the showtimes for “Brave” at the El Capitan? The film screens daily at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9:50 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the El Capitan box office (6838 Hollywood Blvd.), online at www.elcapitantickets.com or by calling 1-800-DISNEY6. Special group-rate tickets for parties of 20 or more are available by calling 1-818-845-3110.

For a limited time, the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood is hosting a return engagement of two of this year’s most popular animated feature films, “Cars 2” (in Disney 3D) and “Winnie the Pooh.”

Beginning today, and running through November 20th, “Winnie the Pooh” will show daily at 10:45 a.m., 1:20 p.m. and 4:10 p.m., and “Cars 2” in 3D will screen at 7:00 p.m.

Additionally, each screening of “Cars 2” will be preceded by a new Pixar animated short, “La Luna,” and each screening of “Winnie the Pooh” will be preceded by the Disney animated short, “The Ballad of Nessie.”

As a special bonus before each screening of “Winnie the Pooh,” Winnie the Pooh himself will appear live on stage! In addition, The El Capitan Theatre will exhibit pieces of extraordinary art that went into the making of these films. There will also be a special “Winnie the Pooh” breakfast at 9:15 on Saturdays and Sundays.

Because it’s just about time award season nominations, members of the following guilds are invited to present their membership cards at the box office to receive complimentary admission to attend any of the scheduled screenings with their families (up to 4 people): AMPAS, ACE, ADG, ASC, ASIFA, BAFTA, BFCA, CAS, CDG, DGA, HFPA, LAFCA, MPSE, PGA, SAG Nominating Committee and VES.

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Babes In Disneyland combines the best of everything the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney Company has to offer families with young children and Disney fans alike, in addition to providing reviews and information on the latest travel products, Southern California destinations and lodging options and much more for families.